The Elon Effect

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is quietly launching Merge Labs, a new brain–computer startup that uses sound waves instead of surgery to read the mind. With Caltech’s Mikhail Shapiro onboard, the company aims to rival Elon Musk’s Neuralink with a safer, non-invasive alternative. Miles Vega explores how this could reshape the race to merge human and machine in today’s Elon Effect.

SpaceX disables over 2,500 Starlink terminals linked to human trafficking and scam operations in Myanmar. Following a military raid that freed thousands of captive workers, Elon Musk’s satellite network takes action to stop criminal misuse of its service. Miles Vega breaks down the global impact in today’s Elon Effect.

Elon Musk’s Boring Company begins tunneling under Nashville without city approval, sparking political and environmental backlash. Meanwhile, Tesla’s latest earnings call turns fiery as Musk defends his $1 trillion pay plan, teases Optimus V3, and outlines Tesla’s AI ambitions. Miles Vega breaks it all down in today’s Elon Effect.

After Acting NASA Chief Sean Duffy suggested reopening SpaceX’s $2.9 billion lunar lander contract, Elon Musk fired back online—calling him “Sean Dummy” and mocking his background as a tree climber. With NASA leadership in flux and Starship’s Artemis mission on the line, Miles Vega breaks down Musk’s latest clash with Washington in today’s Elon Effect.

Proxy firm ISS urges Tesla shareholders to reject Elon Musk’s record-setting $1 trillion pay package, citing concerns over governance and scale. Meanwhile, Neuralink reports 10,000 people on its brain-chip waitlist as it prepares for more human trials. Miles Vega breaks down the power struggle, the promise, and the pressure in today’s Elon Effect.

Tesla teases a mysterious new Full Self-Driving feature—possibly the long-awaited “Banish” mode that lets your car drop you off and park itself. Meanwhile, Neuralink’s first human patient, Noland Arbaugh, shares how the company’s brain implant has restored his independence and purpose. Miles Vega unpacks both stories in today’s Elon Effect.

NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang hand-delivers the company’s new DGX Spark—a petaflop AI supercomputer the size of a book—to Elon Musk at SpaceX’s Starbase facility. As Starship readies for launch, Musk adds the world’s smallest supercomputer to his growing AI arsenal. Miles Vega breaks down how this moment bridges spaceflight and artificial intelligence in today’s Elon Effect.

SpaceX nails its eleventh Starship test flight, marking another major step toward Mars and the Moon, while Tesla’s Cybertruck struggles with plummeting sales—offset only by bulk purchases from SpaceX and xAI. Miles Vega breaks down how Musk’s ventures are soaring and stumbling in equal measure in today’s Elon Effect.

Elon Musk’s xAI joins the race to develop “world models,” hiring Nvidia researchers to build AI that understands physics and reality itself—with gaming and robotics in its sights. Meanwhile, Tesla’s lead Cybercab engineer reveals major progress on the autonomous two-seater Robotaxi, calling it “way better than a year ago.” Miles Vega breaks down both stories in today’s Elon Effect.

SpaceX moves its massive Super Heavy booster to the pad ahead of Starship Flight 11’s scheduled launch, marking another leap toward full rocket reusability. Meanwhile, X Corp settles a $128 million severance dispute with former Twitter executives, closing one of the last chapters from Musk’s takeover. Miles Vega breaks down both stories in today’s Elon Effect.